New location for school would be 'perfect Christmas present'

Haygrove School will be rebuilt but a location has not yet been confirmed

The future location for a school, declared unsafe by government inspectors, is still unknown according to the academy chain that run it.

Faulty construction work at Haygrove School in Bridgwater, Somerset, led to its main building being declared unsafe.

The Chief Executive of the Quantock Education Trust Chrysta Garnett says a location that is fit for purpose would be their preference.

Pupils faced a delayed start to the autumn term as temporary accommodation was installed, while others have had lessons at a different site.

'Best Christmas present'

Siobhan Wilson, 56, who has twin girls at Haygrove School, says her children have faced disruption and a four-day week in school.

Ms Wilson added: "It's very sad. They'll probably spend the next five years on a building site."

Ian Liddell Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said a new building would be the "best Christmas present" staff, students and parents could wish for".

Caledonian Modular, the firm that constructed the building, went out of business in 2022, prompting the Department for Education (DfE) to check the safety of Haygrove and several other schools.

The minister for school systems, Baroness Diana Barran, confirmed the DfE would provide funding for the project.

"We are also reviewing our contracts, and seeking legal advice on how we can recover the costs where that contractor was involved," she confirmed.